by Matt Spangler
Graduate Research Assistant
Department of Animal and Dairy Science
Introduction
Basics
Reasons
Cattle
Sheep
Goats
Swine
Carcass Parameters
This manual is designed to give students and teachers a guide to follow in preparing for contests. Although this manual is partially a reflection of the author’s views and personal preferences, the majority of material presented is based upon known livestock evaluation norms, popular opinion and trends of the time. This manual will undoubtedly become outdated, which hopefully means we have progressed and become better. It is important to stay abreast of current trends and styles in order to remain competitive.
The value of livestock judging contests lies in the education of young people. In essence, livestock judging teaches young people to make logical decisions based upon what they see, and thru oral reasons, to defend their respective decisions. Livestock judging teaches prospective producers some of the criteria upon which management decisions could be made and ultimately produces articulate, thoughtful, well-rounded decision makers. Finally, it also gives young people the opportunity to travel to places they would otherwise never go and meet people they would otherwise never meet, some of whom will become lifelong friends.
A contestant should look presentable at all times. Some 4-H and FFA contests require official dress. Some national or state contests may warrant dress pants, ties and blazers. For the majority of contests, a nice pair of pants or jeans with a button-up or a polo type shirt is acceptable. Out of respect for officials and tradition, hats are not worn, particularly during reasons.
A typical contest may consist of placing classes, oral reasons classes, questions classes, keep/cull classes and grading classes. Placing classes consist of four animals and are ranked from best to worst. Usu-ally a contestant is allowed 12-15 minutes for placing and keep/cull classes. A placing class consists of three pairs: top, middle and bottom. For instance, a classes place 1-2-3-4 has animals 1 and 2 in the top pair, 2 and 3 in the middle pair, and 3 and 4 in the bottom pair.
Contest officials put the official placing on the class along with “cuts.” There is a cut for each pair. The cut represents the number of points a contestant will lose for placing a pair incorrectly. Cuts can be as low as 1 point or higher than 6, but they generally range from 2 to 6, with a cut of 2 representing a difficult pair to place and a 6 representing an easy pair to place. A perfect score is worth 50 points. If a contestant switches a pair, official is 1-2-3-4 and contestant places it 2-1-3-4, and the cuts are 2-4-6, then the contestants score is a 48.
Following are possible pair switches using the same official and cuts as above: 1-3-2-4 score is a 46, 1-2-4-3 score is a 44, 2-1-4-3 score is a 42 (double pair switch). Anything other than a pair switch is referred to as a “bust.” Busts are more difficult to score. Following is the general way in which busts can be scored: If the official is 1-2-3-4 with cuts of 3-5-3, and the contestant’s placing is 3-4-1-2, ask your-self, “Do I have 1 over 2?” Yes, so no points are lost. “Do I have 1 over 3?” No, so you lose the sum of the top and middle cuts, which is 8 in this case. “Do I have 1 over 4?” No, so you lose the sum of all three cuts, which is 11. “Do I have 2 over 3?” No, so you lose the middle cut of 5. “Do I have 2 over 4?” No, so you lose the sum of the middle and bottom cuts, which is 8. “Do I have 3 over 4?” Yes, no points are lost. Your final score for this class will be equal to 50 minus your “drop” or number of points lost. Your drop is 8 + 11 + 5 + 8, which is 32. So your score on the class is an 18.
Reasons classes are also worth 50 points but are scored subjectively by an official reasons taker. Reasons are a brief, organized speech detailing why a contestant placed a class in a certain order. Reasons are given on placing classes only. Reasons generally last between 1 and 2 minutes. Reasons are scored based on descriptive accuracy and presentation. Reasons should be given without using notes. Generally, a poor set of reasons is scored below a 30, an average set is between 30 and 40, a good set is between 40 and 45, and excellent sets are above 45. Very rarely is a set scored a 50 or below a 20.
Questions classes are worth 50 points. Often question classes replace a reasons class for young contestants. A questions class consists of 10 questions over one of the placing classes or possibly one of the keep/ cull classes. Each question may be worth 5 points each or 3 points each. In the latter case, a minimum score of 20 would be given to each contestant. The type of material covered in a set of questions may contain, but is not limited to, identification type questions (color, sex, breed), questions regarding the quality of the animals (which was the heaviest mus-cled; between 2 and 3, which was nicer balanced, etc.), or questions over performance information or data if provided (which had the lowest birth weight, which was born a twin, which offers the most direct growth to his offspring, etc.).
Keep/Cull classes contain eight animals, generally breeding animals, either females or intact males (bulls, boars, or rams). The contestant is asked to mark which four animals they would like to keep in any order. All eight animals are assigned a point value by officials, with the four best animals’ point values adding up to 50. Performance information such as EPDs will often be given as an aid in deter-mining which four to keep. Performance information will be discussed in detail later.
Taking notes during a placing class is a critical component to correct placings; good, descriptive reasons; and accurate answers to questions. A quality set of notes will help contestants logically think through a class placing, and help them remember the class while preparing to give oral reasons or answer questions. There are several methods of note taking, but the following is recommended. Use a steno pad of dimensions 6 x 9 inches. Write down key identifications of animals such as color or sex as well as significant placing criteria to help remember the class. Notes should not be used while answering questions and the author highly discourages to use of notes during reasons.
Below are the major placing criteria for livestock of any species. Avoid single trait selection or complete emphasis in only one area. Looking for animals that combine the following areas without major deficiencies in any area are considered ideal.
Composition: Composition is the muscle and fat content of an animal. Desirable composition includes an animal that is heavy muscled with an optimum degree of finish or fat. The optimum value of finish or fat changes over time. For instance, there was a time when lard (fat from swine) and tallow (fat from beef animals) were economically important traits. Contrast this to now, when swine are marketed on grid-based systems that reward leanness. This extreme leanness phase in swine is perhaps changing to a more moderate approach with an acceptable window of fat cover where no one extreme is desirable. Averages and ranges of muscle and fat measures can be found under the “Carcass Parameters” section.
Structural Correctness or Soundness: Structural correctness is generally thought of as an animal’s ability to move without difficulty due to correct foot and leg structure. Emphasis is generally put more on structural correctness when evaluating breeding animals than market animals, but market animals should not be incorrect in this area either. As a rule-of-thumb, the ideal animal should move in such a way that the back feet hit the ground in the same spot that the front feet left. This would indicate that they are correct in their length of stride, suggesting the animal is structurally sound.
Femininity: This term would apply to breeding females only (heifers, ewes and gilts). It encompasses several individual traits. Perhaps most obvious is cleanliness and thinness of the neck and smoothness of the shoulders. A feminine and refined looking head is also important. It is important to note that a clean neck does not necessarily mean that a female is feminine. Ideally, females should have a relatively long and thin neck. The shape of the neck or lack of a cresty neck is more important. Clean and refined bone-work is also important. While it is important for a female to have adequate substance of bone, she need not be coarse jointed. For swine, femininity is defined more by refinement of the head and underline and the muscle pattern (not extremely raw or round in their muscle pattern). Most critical, however, are the fundamentals of a female such as udder and teat development or underlines in gilts, and the shape and size of a female’s vulva (not too small such that natural breeding could not occur; an undesirable shape such as a tipped vulva, one that points up-ward). Although these traits are sometimes excluded in placing criteria, discussion of these fundamental feminine traits most certainly belong in a good, descriptive set of reasons and, in a true production setting, are the most critical of all selection criteria along with structural correctness. Adequate rib dimension is also important and should be grouped with femininity as a whole.
Balance: Balance is often synonymous with eye appeal. It encompasses many traits and is generally thought of as how an animal blends different regions of its body together. Correctness of lines, levelness throughout, and proportionality are all components of balance. For instance, an animal with a weak top, short hip or ewe neck (dip in the neck shoulder junction) could be described as being poor balanced.
Performance and Growth: Performance and growth refer to an animal’s frame size and apparent weight. Again, these should fall within an acceptable window. Although performance is important, quality is more important (a combination of all traits). Frame size can also become a disadvantage. For instance, an exceptionally large framed animal may not be desirable, especially if she is deficient of muscle and rib. On the other hand, an exceptionally small animal may be called early maturing or “quick.” Ideally an animal’s size should be evaluated with consideration given to age, although this information is not always available. [If ages of livestock are not given to the contestant, the contestant should assume the animals are the same age.] Both extremes can be seen if one looks at the past. In the 1950s, smaller framed animals were more desirable, in part because the lack of growth promoted excess fat, which was more desirable at the time. Contrast this to the 1980s and early 1990s when larger framed animals were highly desirable. Today we find ourselves somewhere in the middle.
Breed Character: This refers to an animal conforming to a set of breed standards in terms of appearance. It is not a critical placing point for a judging contest but is note worthy for reasons. It most generally applies to breeding sheep classes. Detailed breed pictures and standards can be found at the following website for all species and breeds: www.okstate.edu. For sheep, in particular, go to www.nsip.org.
Performance Information/Data: This refers to actual information given to the contestant such as birth dates, actual weights, actual ultrasound measures, ratios, indexes and EPDs (expected progeny differences). Generally this is only given on breeding classes and is followed by a scenario. The scenario outlines specific goals and/or concerns of an imaginary producer who owns the four animals. These goals and/or concerns allow the contestant to know what information is important in placing the animals. Performance information is meant to give the contestants limited experience using EPDs and other performance information. It is also intended to be an aid in placing the animals. Never place sole emphasis on performance data, only look for outliers within the data or use it to sort close pairs.
The most widely accepted format for reasons is called the grant/criticize format. There are three “pairs” of animals — a top, middle and bottom. Within each pair, an animal is described and the animal that follows in placing order is granted certain strengths and is then criticized. Below is a very general format; more descriptive sets of reasons for particular species will be given later.
The contestant should stand, men with their hands behind their back, ladies with either their hands behind their back or in front; never place hands at your sides. At any level of competition, students are encouraged to write out reasons during practice so they can see if correct grammar is used and notice overused words. During a contest, students should be discouraged from writing out reasons. Detailed notes are more useful in helping students remember the animals. Video taping of reasons during practice is an invaluable tool so students can see and hear mistakes they would otherwise be unaware of. Video taping over a series of time also helps students see their progress.
Use the following format:
Talk about positive things concerning your first place animal. These should compare the first place animal to either the second place animal or the class as a whole. When comparing to the animal placed below, use phrases ending in “er” (longer, heavier, etc.). When comparing the entire class, terms ending in “est” should be used (longest, heaviest, etc.).
Then grant something positive about the second place animal over the first place animal, again using either “er” or “est” terms. This should be relatively short and should include traits that the second place animal has that are better than the first place animal.
Next, criticize the second place animal. These should be the faults of the second place animal. Here, point out faults without “er” terms, or use “est” if applicable, or simply point out faults without com-parison (short, light, narrow, etc.).
Use this same format in all three pairs with transitions (to be described later) connecting the three pairs.
Phrases and terms not to be used in reasons:
A set of reasons should be formal and professional. Avoid certain phrases and terms to achieve formality and professionalism. Phrases and terms should always be descriptive and generally conform to proper English. Never use profanity. The contestant should avoid using hand gestures to describe the livestock. The contestant should only use terminology that they understand and are able to use correctly.
To start with simple terms and phrases is best until you feel more comfortable and able to move on to more descriptive terminology. In general, a contestant should start a set of reasons with the placing or something similar; never start with information about the contestant such as age, school name or the contestant’s name. Furthermore, it is not necessary to end a set of reasons with the phrase “for these reasons I placed the class….” It is not necessary to mention your placing again at the conclusion of your set of reasons. The set of reasons should be concluded when you are finished describing the last place animal and should end with “of the class” or something similar such as “of the drive” when talking hogs. Avoid unnecessary words. For instance, there is no reason to say “the number three steer is ….” Instead say “Three is…”, or use an ID like “The baldy steer is….”
Instead of saying heifer or ewe or gilt over and over again, female can be substituted when talking breeding classes. The same holds true for using sire instead of bull, ram or boar. Overuse of the word “the” often leads to excess words. For example: “He is also the heavier muscled, the wider based steer who is the sounder moving steer.” Now take out the word “the” from the last description and it makes it simpler: “He is also heavier muscled, wider based and sounder moving.” By taking out the word “the,” the contestant is also able to take out the word “steer,” which in a set of reasons will often be repeated to the point of excess. This is only a partial list but gives a general idea of terminology that should be avoided.
Avoid the following:
Transition terms are used to move into a grant or criticism, or to move from one pair to another, or within a pair to tie phrases together. Changing transition terms and phrases makes a set of reasons more pleasing to the ear and often makes a set of reasons unique.
When placing breeding heifers, place emphasis on structural correctness, femininity, substance (rib and muscle) and performance. View females from the side/profile to determine balance and femininity. Watching them walk will help evaluate structure. Females must only be adequate in terms of muscle, and this is the least important of the placing criteria for heifers. Adequate chest width translates into spring of rib, and females should have both rib expanse and depth. Frame size should be moderate; too small may mean into poor performance, and too large may indicate those that are “hard doing” or “difficult keeping,” meaning that they may not flesh well.
The ideal market steer is moderate in terms of both frame size and weight. He should weigh between 1,200 and 1,300 pounds. Never should he weigh below 1,000 or more than 1,500 pounds. He should have adequate finish of around .3 inches but not too much as to indicate that he is wasty (possible high yield grade) and not too little as to indicate that he was hard feeding. Steers should be thick topped and wide based, and should also be pleasing from the profile and sound moving. In some contests, the contestants will be allowed to handle the steers to determine fat cover and muscle over the loin and behind the shoulders.
Bulls should be sound, heavy muscled, and correct in the size and carriage of their testicles. Bulls should be masculine in appearance and show adequate performance for their age. They should be rugged, heavy boned and big bodied.
1. |
Poll |
11. |
Hoof |
20. |
Tail Head |
2. |
Ear |
12. |
Heart Girth |
21. |
Pins |
3. |
Face |
13. |
Sheath |
22. |
Rump |
4. |
Muzzle |
14. |
Belly or Middle |
23. |
Hooks |
5. |
Throat |
15. |
Rear Flank |
24. |
Loin |
6. |
Dewlap |
16. |
Dew Claw |
25. |
Back |
7. |
Point of Shoulder |
17. |
Hock |
26. |
Ribs |
8. |
Brisket |
18. |
Switch |
27. |
Crops |
9. |
Knee |
19. |
Quarter or Round |
28. |
Neck |
10. |
Pastern |
|
|
|
|
Pictured below is a Hereford steer. His visual fat indicators (flank, brisket, middle, and around the tail head) all seem to indicate he is acceptable in his degree of finish. He also appears to be functionally sound, although the set to his hind leg would indicate he is sickle hocked. His hind leg creates a balance problem but, more importantly, he appears to be light muscled as evidenced by the lack of shape to his quarter, in particular his stifle. This would be an example of a steer without sufficient muscle to be in the top pair.
Structure:
Muscle:
Overall Appearance:
Phrases not to use:
Femininity and Balance:
Body dimension:
Masculinity:
Finish:
Body dimension:
Balance:
Carcass:
Several different EPDs may be given with a num-ber of possible scenarios. Scenarios can range from extremely simple to very complex. It is important to be able to pick out only the pertinent parts of the scenario that will play a role in how the class is to be placed. The table on the following page contains some of the current EPDs and their definitions. Note that some breeds may have slightly different names for the same EPD. Always compare EPDs to breed average, which will generally be given. New ones will certainly be added in the future. Following are sample scenarios with sample performance terms and phrases and sample reasons.
Trait |
Desired Direction |
Description |
CE |
High |
Direct calving ease. Measured as a percentage of unassisted births. A measure of how easily a sire’s calves will be born. |
BW |
Low |
Birth weight. Measured in pounds of calf. |
WW |
High |
Weaning weight. Measured in pounds of calf. |
YW |
High |
Yearling weight. Measured in pounds of calf. |
SC |
High |
Scrotal circumference. Measured in centimeters. |
M |
Intermediate |
Milk. Measured in pounds of calf weaned due to the cow’s milking ability. |
TM or Milk and Growth |
High |
Total maternal. Measured in pounds of calf. Is equal to milk plus half WW. |
CED or MCE |
High |
Calving ease daughters or maternal calving ease. Measured as a percentage of unassisted births. A measure of how easily a sire’s daughter’s calves will be born. |
CWT |
Intermediate |
Carcass weight. Measured in pounds of hot carcass. |
REA |
High |
Ribeye area. Measured in square inches. |
FT |
Intermediate |
External fat thickness. Measured in inches. |
IMF |
High |
Percentage of intramuscular fat. Measure of quality grade. |
$G |
High |
A grid value index. |
$F |
High |
A feedlot value indes. |
$B |
High |
A beef value index. |
Performance Cattle Terms
Sample Performance Data, Scenarios and Reasons
Performance Angus Bulls |
||||
Bull |
BW |
WW |
YW |
M |
1 |
2.0 |
37 |
69 |
17 |
2 |
5.8 |
40 |
85 |
14 |
3 |
2.4 |
40 |
75 |
19 |
4 |
2.8 |
42 |
80 |
19 |
BA |
2.6 |
36 |
67 |
18 |
(BA = Breed Average) |
||||
Rank these bulls as they will be used in a commercial operation on Hereford heifers for the production of black baldy replacement females. All culls are sold at yearling.
Based off of the data alone, one could logically come to the placing of 4-3-1-2. Obviously the traits of BW, YW and M are important because these bulls are being bred to heifers (low BW needed), replacements are being kept (adequate M), and culls are being sold at yearling (high YW is desirable, but the producer cannot afford to sacrifice BW because being mated to heifers).
Sample Performance Angus Bulls Reasons — 1
4-3-1-2 is my placing of the Performance Angus Bulls. The branded bull is simply bigger topped and thicker ended. He also steps down on the larger bone and foot and, if he holds true to his growth genetics, his calves should experience more feedlot gain. Yes, 3 is longer and cleaner patterned, but he also tapers out of his upper hip and flattens into the base of his quarter.
In the middle pair it is 3 over 1. He is the wider based, bolder ribbed bull who has more dimension to his quarter. Furthermore, he is easily the most attractive from the profile, especially being the longest and levelest in his top line. Finally, he offers more direct growth to his market bound progeny. I realize 1 has the lowest birth weight progeny difference and is easily the soundest, but he goes third. Not only is he the lightest muscled and frailest, but he is also the least growth oriented bull of the class.
However, he still needs to beat 2 in the bottom pair. He is the calving ease sire of the class that is more correct in the angle to his shoulder and moves with more flex and give to his hock and pastern. Additionally, his daughters should prove to be heavier milking. There is no doubt that 2 is the most growth oriented and is heavier muscled, but I placed him fourth. He is not only the highest in his birth weight EPD, but he is the most structurally incorrect and the tightest ribbed bull of the class.
Below is the same basic class as above but with more EPDs listed and a more detailed scenario.
Performance Angus Bulls |
||||
Bull |
BW |
WW |
YW |
M |
1 |
2.0 |
37 |
69 |
17 |
2 |
5.8 |
40 |
85 |
14 |
3 |
2.4 |
40 |
75 |
19 |
4 |
2.8 |
42 |
80 |
19 |
BA |
2.6 |
36 |
67 |
18 |
(BA = Breed Average) |
||||
Rank these bulls as they will be used on Hereford heifers for the production of F1 replacements. Ownership is retained on all culls and they are marketed toward CAB (Certified Angus Beef) premiums.
Note: F1 replacements refers to the first generation of crossbreds. The resulting black baldy offspring would be considered F1s.
The placing of this class would remain the same as above based off of the data alone. Now, %IMF (high marbling to make CAB quality grade requirements) becomes important in addition to BW, YW and M. In this example, REA, FT and %IMF are all ultrasound measures. If they were carcass measures, they would be interpreted the same way and the only difference would be that %IMF would be called MB (marbling).
Sample Performance Angus Bull Reasons — 2
4-3-1-2 is my preferred alignment of the Performance Angus Bulls. In the initial pair of bulls who are more balanced in their genetic profiles, I prefer the more growth oriented and heavier muscled 4 over 3. The branded bull is simply bigger topped and thicker ended. He also steps down on the larger bone and foot and, if he holds true to his growth genetics, his calves should experience more feedlot gain. Yes, 3 is longer and cleaner patterned, but he also tapers out of his upper hip and flattens into the base of his quarter.
Even so, he still maintains a muscle advantage over 1 in the middle pair. In particular he is wider based, bolder ribbed and has more dimension to his quarter. Furthermore, he is easily the most attractive from the profile, especially being the longest and levelest in his top line. Finally, he is superior in his growth genetics and thus offers more direct growth to his market bound progeny. I realize 1 is the potential calving ease sire of the class who is easily the soundest, but he goes third. Not only is he the lightest muscled and frailest, but he is also the least growth oriented bull of the class.
However, he still needs to beat 2 in the bottom pair. He should prove to be the sounder breeding bull who offers more breeding versatility to the herd. He is the calving ease sire of the class that is more correct in the angle to his shoulder and moves with more flex and give to his hock and pastern while being more correct in his testicular carriage. Additionally, he offers more profit potential to the herd as his daughters should prove to be heavier milking, while his culls should generate more CAB premiums. There is no doubt that 2 is the most growth oriented and is heavier muscled, but he lacks the fundamentals of a herd sire. The twisted scrotum bull is not only on the wrong side of breed average for birth weight and marbling but he is the most structurally incorrect and the tightest ribbed bull of the class.
Sample Market Steer Reasons
1-2-3-4 is my placing of the market steers. I started the class with 1 as he is easily the biggest ribbed and is more moderate in his frame size. He looks to be fuller in his fat indicators, and I would expect him to hang a carcass with a higher quality grade. Two is heavier muscled from behind. However, he is straight shouldered.
In the middle pair, I like 2 over 3. He is simply the bigger topped, thicker ended steer who should rib with a larger eye. To add to this, he is more attractive from the side. The Hereford appearing steer is the soundest structured, but he is also the narrowest.
However, I still prefer him over 4 in the bottom pair. He is the bigger bodied steer who is more correct in his degree of finish. He is also sounder. There is no doubt that 4 is heavier muscled, but I placed him fourth. He is the barest in his finish, and the most structurally incorrect steer of the class.
Sample Market Steer Reasons (handled)
1-2-3-4 is my preferred alignment of the market steers. In the initial pair of stouter baldy steers, I personally like the easy feeding look found in 1 over 2. He is easily the biggest ribbed and is more moderate in his frame size. From the outside he looks to be fuller in his fat indicators, and as I step to handle him he is certainly more uniform his cover. Finally, I would expect him to hit the cooler with a quality grade advantage. The more powerful steer is easily 2, particularly from behind. However, he becomes somewhat patchy in his finish as well as straight in his shoulder.
Yet he still easily beats 3 in the middle pair. He is simply the bigger topped, thicker ended steer who should rib with a larger eye. To add to this, he is more attractive from the profile as he is straighter in his lines and cleaner through his chest and lower shoulder. The Hereford appearing steer is the soundest out of both ends of his skeleton, but he is also the narrowest. He tapers out of his hip and is the flattest through his stifle.
However, I still prefer his kind over 4 in the bottom pair. He simply has the look of a more practical fat steer. He is the more sensible in terms of frame and is deeper bodied. Along with this he is softer in his look and handles with more cover along his ribs. He also moves with more flex and give to his hock, allowing him more reach as he travels. There is no doubt that 4 is heavier muscled and is the highest cutability, but he is wrong in his kind. Not only is he the most extreme in terms of frame size, but he is also the harshest handling, and the straightest off of both ends of any in the class.
Sample Angus Heifer Reasons — 1
1-2-3-4 is my placing of the Angus Heifers. One wins, as she is the broodiest female of the class. She is the biggest bodied, heaviest muscled and the soundest traveling female who stands on the biggest bone and foot. Two is more attractive through her front end and is longer patterned, but she goes second. She is also pinched in her fore rib and tapers out of her upper hip.
Two places over 3 in the middle pair because she is the sounder structured heifer that is cleaner patterned. Three is heavier muscled, but she is the heaviest conditioned and the coarsest made.
In the bottom pair 3 places over 4. She is the bolder sprung, deeper bodied female who appears to be easier fleshing and is heavier muscled. Four is longer and cleaner patterned, but she is straight in her shoulder and is the flattest made, lightest muscled female of the class.
Sample Angus Heifer Reasons — 2
1-2-3-4 is my placing of the Angus Heifers. One easily wins, as she is the broodiest female of the class. She is the biggest bodied, heaviest muscled and the soundest traveling female who stands on the biggest bone and foot. Yes, 2 is more attractive through her front end and is longer patterned, but she goes second. She is also pinched in her fore rib and tapers out of her upper hip.
Yet she still beats 3 in the middle pair because she is the sounder structured heifer that is more correct in the angle to her shoulder and is the longer hipped female who moves with more flex to her hock. She is also cleaner patterned and blends her thinner neck into a smoother shoulder. Three is heavier muscled, but she is the heaviest conditioned, coarsest made, and is somewhat straight in her shoulder.
However, in a bottom pair of structurally incorrect females I like the substance found in 3 over 4. She is simply the bolder sprung, deeper bodied female who appears to be easier fleshing. She also comes with more width out to her pins and steps down wider at her base on more bone. Four is longer and cleaner patterned, but she too is straight in her shoulder and is the flattest made, lightest muscled and potentially the hardest keeping heifer of the class.
Example of a Poor Set of Heifer Reasons
Hi. I’m Ashley Smith from Long Lake FFA. I placed the Angus heifers1-2-3-4. I liked 1 because he was real pretty from the side and had a lot of muscle. Two was longer but didn’t have as much muscle. In the middle pair I like 2 over 3. Two had a lot of muscle and good feet and leg structure. Three was bigger, but didn’t have as nice a look. In the bottom pair I liked 2 over 4. Three was bigger and had more rib. Four was longer but was the lightest muscled and didn’t have a good feet and leg structure. For these reasons I placed the Angus heifers 1-2-3-4.
What is wrong with this set of reasons? First, she introduces herself and school, which are not needed. She uses poor descriptions such as “pretty” and “a lot of” and “good.” Her terminology is not well developed and is repetitive. She is talking heifers and says “he” instead of “she.” In the bottom pair, she gets her numbers confused. Instead of saying “3 over 4,” she says “2 over 4.” Finally she closes by repeating her placing, which is unnecessary. Sets such as the one above should be avoided and scored in the low twenties.
www.okstate.edu
www.simmgene.com
www.angus.org
www.beefimprovement.org
www.nalf.org
www.hereford.org
www.judging101.com
Ewes should be large framed as to indicate a late maturity pattern. They should be youthful in appearance and pleasing from the side in terms of levelness and smoothness of pattern. They should have adequate spring of rib, width of base, and substance of bone. They should also display the character of their respective breed. Avoid small framed, heavy conditioned and course females.
Market lambs should first be evaluated from a distance to determine balance, muscle and size. Market lambs should be long and level bodied, extended and smooth through their front end and tight hided. They should display width out to their dock and a deep, shapely leg. When handling them, they should be expansive and fresh or toned over their rack and loin with the hindsaddle being long. In most contests, contestants will be allowed to handle the lambs to determine muscle over the rack, loin and leg, fat cover over the fore rib, and length from the last rib back. Contestants are generally given 10 seconds to handle each lamb. Contestants should use handling as a method of sorting close pairs and to get detailed information for either reasons or questions. The contestant should have a good idea of how the class should be placed before handling the lambs.
Rams should have similar balance and size attributes as females but more emphasis is placed on muscle. They should also be correct in testicular size and shape. They should also display breed character.
Breed Character for Medium-Wool Sheep
Each purebred association has developed standards that must be met before any animal can be registered in that respective association. The physical characteristics of each breed are referred to as breed character. Differences in breed character have very little to do with how a class is actually placed, but differences in this area are critical for reasons and questions. A description of breed character for some of the medium-wool breeds of sheep follows.
Dorset
Dorsets are completely white in color and can be polled, horned, or scurred. A Dorset with desirable breed characteristics should have a wool cap that extends over the forehead, but not below the eyes. Generally the legs will be free of wool from the hocks and knees down, however it is acceptable if a small amount of wool is seen on the lower legs. The ear should be slightly less than moderate in length, fairly thick and set perpendicular to the head. Short white hair, not wool, should cover the ear. A Dorset should have no black fibers or dark pigmentation as to indicate the influence of another breed.
Columbia
Columbia sheep are hornless, white-faced sheep derived from mating Lincoln rams with Rambouillet ewes. This breed is generally larger framed than Dorsets. Breeding stock should be open faced; however, a small, but very distinct wool cap may cover the poll with no wool on the face or around the eyes. The ears are of medium size and carried horizontally from the head. Legs are white and should be free of wool from the knees and hocks down. Black pigment on the nostrils and hooves and in small spots on the ears is not objectionable. Columbias should have no black fibers.
Suffolk
Suffolks are black at their points; in other words they should have black hair with no wool about their head and legs. Some younger lambs may have a small amount of wool on their foreheads, which is not objectionable, but this should be mentioned in a set or reasons. Suffolk ears should be long, fine textured, black and flipped up on the ends. The ears are often called bell-shaped because they hang down along the head and open toward the corners of the mouth. The legs should be black and free of wool from the knees and hocks down. Rams and ewes exhibiting black fibers on the neck or body should be discriminated against.
Hampshire
Hampshires are hornless and exhibit black or dark brown points with a full wool cap extending from the neck, over the forehead, to the base of the eyes. The ears should be moderate in length, thick, covered with a coarse dark brown or black hair, and free from wool. A Hampshire ear will not be as long or fine-textured as a Suffolk. The face should be of good length, dark in color and practically free of wool from the eyes down. An unbroken wool cap should extend from the neck over the forehead. The wool cap should not extend below the eyes (commonly referred to as the channel). Any wool interfering with vision should be considered serious. Legs below the knee and hock should be relatively free of wool. Purebred breeding stock with black fibers about the neck and body should be discriminated against.
Breed Character for Fine-Wool Sheep
Rambouillets are generally used in fine-wool judging classes. This breed is white and can be polled or horned; it is usually much more refined in appearance than the white faced medium-wool breeds. The head of a Rambouillet should exhibit a full wool cap extending from the neck to the front of the eye. Discriminate against breeding stock that has too much wool around the eyes, which causes wool blindness. The ear should be broad, thick and relatively short. Legs may have some wool below the knees and hocks, which is not objectionable.
1. |
Eye |
9. |
Toe |
17. |
Dock |
2. |
Ear |
10. |
Heart girth |
18. |
Rump |
3. |
Face |
11. |
Ribs |
19. |
Edge of loin |
4. |
Nose |
12. |
Middle |
20. |
Loin |
5. |
Muzzle |
13. |
Flank |
21. |
Back |
6. |
Throat |
14. |
Pastern |
22. |
Shoulders |
7. |
Breast |
15. |
Hock |
23. |
Neck |
8. |
Knee |
16. |
Leg |
|
|
Below is a Suffolk or Suffolk cross wether. He appears to be of adequate frame size and weight, and has good substance of bone. His problems deal with both muscle and balance. From the side ,it is obvious his leg is flat and that he is somewhat steep out to his dock. He also appears weak behind his shoulders. Furthermore, he appears somewhat pelty, as evidenced by the excess skin folds on his neck, though this is a minor detail. This would be an example of a lamb that is generally meant to be in the bottom pair.
Frame:
Balance:
Overall Appearance:
Muscle:
Body Dimension:
Structure:
Finish:
Muscle:
Carcass:
Britch Wool: Usually the coarsest in the fleece, from the lower parts of the hindquarters.
Burry Wool: Wool that contains burrs from any plant source that will require special processing.
Character: The evenness and distinctness of crimp in wool fibers.
Clip: The process of shearing or clipping. The weight or type of wool from a certain flock.
Condition: Refers to the amount of dirt or grease in the fleece. A fleece that is heavy conditioned will shrink or lose a larger percentage of its weight in scouring.
Cotted Fleece: Fleece in which the fibers are matted or felted.
Crimp: The natural waviness in the fibers. A tighter crimp is more desirable.
Grease wool: Shorn wool before washing or scouring.
Kemp: A chalky white, weak, brittle fiber bound mixed with normal fibers of a fleece. Kemp will not take dyes.
Lanolin: Wool grease or yolk that has been refined.
Luster Wool: Wool that shines because it reflects more light.
Quality: A term used to describe the fineness of the fibers.
Raw Wool: Wool in the Grease.
Run-out Fleece: A Fleece that lacks uniformity, being hairy or kempy in the britch or elsewhere.
Scouring: Removing the grease and dirt from the wool.
Spinning count: A numerical system of wool grading on the basis of the number of hanks of yarn that can be spun from it.
Staple: Used in reference to length of wool fiber. Longer is more desirable.
Tags: The heavy manure-covered locks.
Yield: The percentage of clean wool fibers after scouring.
Yolk: The secretion of sebaceous or oil glands in the skin. A certain amount is needed to keep the wool in good condition.
There are not as many genetic values published for sheep as for cattle. The following chart shows some examples of what might be seen in a contest, including some genotypic information regarding spider and scrapie. Until recently, the sheep industry used FEPDs (Flock Expected Progeny Difference) instead of EPDs, the difference being that FEPDs are not comparable across flocks. Some of the EPDs mentioned below are still in the developmental stages but will be seen in the future. For contest situations, it is not important whether or not the data given is an EPD or FEPD; the underlying assumption in a contest is that all animals in a class come from the same flock.
Currently there is significant variability in what may be seen for performance information at a con-test. Many of the traits are not in use currently but will be in the future.
Trait |
Desired Direction |
Description |
Maternal milk |
Intermediate |
Measured in pounds of lamb weaned due to the ewe’s milking ability. |
Milk + Growth |
High |
The combination of the ewe’s ability to milk and the direct growth of the lamb. |
Number of lambs born |
High |
A measure of the number of lambs born per parity. |
Weaning weight* |
High |
Measured in pounds of lamb. |
Postweaning weight* |
High |
Measured in pounds of lamb. |
Yearling weight* |
High |
Measured in pounds of lamb. |
Grease fleece weight |
High |
A measure of the weight of the shorn fleece in pounds. |
Fiber diameter |
Low |
Measured in microns, it is a measure of the fineness of the fleece. |
Fiber length |
High |
A measure of the staple length. A longer fleece means more wool. |
Fat thickness |
Intermediate |
A measure of the external fat thickness. |
Ribeye area |
High |
A measure of the ribeye area in square inches. |
Carcass Value Trait |
High |
An index calculated from the age of lamb, weight, ribeye area and fat depth. |
| * These weights are reported differently for farm and range flocks. Farm flocks report 60-day weaning weights and 120-day postweaning weights, while range flocks receive 120-day weaning weights and yearling weights. | ||
Trait |
Desired Genotype |
Undesirable Genotype |
Spider |
RR |
|
Scrapie |
NN |
SS |
The above traits have desired genotypes that are homozygous negative and undesirable genotypes that are homozygous positive. The intermediary would be a heterozygote (one of each type of allele). The heterozygotes would be considered carriers and less desirable than the homozygous negatives but more desirable than the homozygous positives.
Sample Performance Data, Scenarios and Reasons
Performance Suffolk Rams
ID |
Birth/Rearing Type* |
M |
M+G |
120d Weight |
1 |
TW/TW |
.30 |
1.30 |
3.0 |
2 |
S/S |
.33 |
1.40 |
3.3 |
3 |
TW/S |
.35 |
1.42 |
3.6 |
4 |
TR/TW |
.39 |
1.60 |
4.2 |
| * Indicates if the lamb was born as a Single (S), Twin (TW) or Triplet (TR) and how it was reared (raised). | ||||
Place these rams as they will be used in a purebred flock that profits mainly from the sale of rams and ewes to both purebred and commercial producers.
From the data alone, it appears that the class should be placed 4-3-2-1, with the closest pair being the middle. With the given scenario, all three columns of data are important, but there is little variation in the Milk numbers. Therefore, most of the emphasis should be placed on the Milk and Growth column and the 120d Weight column. With this in mind, 4 easily excels in both columns, and 1 finds his way to the bottom. The closest differences in data occur in the middle pair.
Sample Performance Suffolk Rams Reasons — 1
4-3-2-1 is my placing of the Performance Suffolk rams. In the top pair, it is 4 over 3. He is easily the heaviest muscled and most growth oriented ram who has the most testicular development. As a result, he should be the most profitable to this flock. I grant that 3 shows more Suffolk breed character by being darker at his points, but he is fine boned and short sided.
In the middle pair it is 3 over 2. He appears to be the later maturing ram that is more nearly level from his shoulders to his dock and is more extended through his front end. I admit 2 is heavier boned, but he is third. He is also low in his dock set and course shouldered.
In the bottom pair it is 2 over 1. He is simply bigger outlined and offers more growth to his off-spring. He is also the bolder ribbed ram who stands on more bone. I realize 1 is leveler hipped, but he is also the smallest framed, least growth oriented and the coarsest made buck of the class.
Performance Suffolk Rams
ID |
Birth/Rearing Type* |
M |
M+G |
120d Weight |
Genotype |
1 |
TW/TW |
.30 |
1.30 |
3.0 |
RR NS |
2 |
S/S |
.33 |
1.40 |
3.3 |
RR NS |
3 |
TW/S |
.35 |
1.42 |
3.6 |
RR NN |
4 |
TR/TW |
.39 |
1.60 |
4.2 |
RR NN |
| * Indicates if the lamb was born as a Single (S), Twin (TW) or Triplet (TR) and how it was reared (raised). | |||||
Place these rams as they will be used in a purebred flock that profits mainly from the sale of rams and ewes to both purebred and commercial producers. This flock exhibits and sells elite offspring at national events and retains ownership on all cull progeny.
From the data alone, it appears the class should be placed 4-3-2-1. This time, however, the middle is not as close. With the given scenario, all four columns of data are important, but there is little variation in the Milk numbers. Therefore, most of the emphasis should be placed on the Milk and Growth column, the 120d Weight column and the genotype. With this in mind, 4 easily excels in all columns and 1 finds his way to the bottom. The middle, which was close before, is now separated by the fact that the 2 ram is a carrier for Spider. If animals are carriers, they will be highly discriminated against at national events.
Sample Performance Suffolk Rams Reasons — 2
4-3-2-1 is my preferred alignment of the Performance Suffolk rams. In the initial pair, it is easily 4 over 3. He is simply the heaviest muscled and most growth oriented ram, both on paper and visually. Consequently, his sons should be the most marketable as commercial rams. As a result, he should be the most profitable to this flock. I grant that 3 shows more Suffolk breed character by being darker at his points, but he is also fine boned and short sided.
In the middle pair it is 3 over 2. He appears to be the later maturing ram that is more nearly level from his shoulders to his dock and is more extended through his front end. These advantages in size and balance coupled with his more desirable genotype suggest he should better serve as a marketing tool at national events. I admit 2 is heavier boned, but he is third. He is also low in his dock set, course shouldered, and posses an undesirable genotype for Spider.
In the bottom pair, it is 2 beats 1. He is simply bigger outlined and offers more direct growth to his offspring. He is also the bolder ribbed ram who stands on more bone. Finally, his kind coupled with his maternal columns suggests his later maturing daughters should be more valuable replacements. I realize 1 is leveler hipped, but he is also the smallest framed, least growth oriented, and the coarsest made and the least desirable in his genetic profile of any in the class.
Market Lambs Sample Reasons — 1
1-2-3-4 is my placing of the market lambs. One wins, as he is the heaviest muscled and nicest balanced. He should easily kill with the heaviest and most shapely carcass. Two is leaner over his ribs, but he is second as he flattens into his lower leg and is the frailest boned.
In the middle, I placed 2 over 3. The blue wether is more attractive from the side and leaner. He should kill with a yield grade advantage. Three is heavier muscled, but I like him third. He is the shortest sided and the coarsest fronted.
Three places over 4 in the bottom pair. The Hamp appearing wether is larger framed and heavier muscled. He is also leveler made. Four is smoother at his shoulder, but he goes fourth. He is both the light-est muscle and the stalest lamb of the class.
Market Lambs Sample Reasons — 2
1-2-3-4 is my preferred alignment of the market lambs. One easily wins, as he uniquely combines style with power. From the outside he is the neatest through his front end and the longest and levelest topped. As I step to handle him, he is not disappointing. He easily has the most tone to his rack and meets my hand the fullest over his lion edge while descending his muscle advantage into the largest leg. He should easily kill with the heaviest and most shapely carcass. Yes, 2 is leaner over his ribs, but this does not compensate for the fact that he flattens into his lower leg and is the frailest boned.
Now, in a middle pair that contrasts in type, I personally prefer the balance and cutability advantages of 2 over the power of 3. The blue wether is more extended through his front end and lays it in more correctly at the top of his shoulders. He is also cleaner through his breast and middle, handles leaner over his fore rib, and measures significantly longer from his last rib back. Consequently, he should kill with a yield grade advantage. On the other hand, 3 is more expansive in his rack, comes out of a fuller hip and into a meatier leg, but I like him third. Not only is he the shortest hindsaddled, but his is also the thickest necked and the coarsest and most open through his shoulders.
Yet he still beats 4 in the final pair. The Hampshire appearing wether simply is at a heavier weight and handles fresher and with more product from his last rib back. To add to this, he is more nearly level from his rack out to his dock. I admit 4 measures longer and is smoother at the point of his shoulder, but he goes fourth. Not only is he the weakest in his top line but, more critically, he is the narrowest gauged wether who is pinched over his rack, shelly through his loin edge and, thus, both the lightest muscled and the stalest lamb of the class.
Example of a Poor Set of Market Lamb Reasons
I placed this class of market lambs 1-2-3-4. I liked 1 over 2 because he had more muscle and was lean. I liked 2 over 3 because he had more muscle, but I fault 2 for he did not look as nice from the side as 1 but was still better than 3. In the bottom, I liked 3 over 2 because he was bigger and should have more meat. I placed 4 at the bottom because he was the fattest and did not have any muscle. For these reasons I placed the market lambs 1-2-4-3; wait, no: 1-2-3-4.
To begin, this set of reasons is too short and not descriptive enough. A good set of reasons should paint a mental picture in the mind of the reasons taker of the class being described. This set of reasons uses very general terms that do not adequately describe the differences among the four animals. Additionally, no clear format being used. There are no grants within the pairs. In the bottom, the numbers are switched; it should be 3 over 4, not 3 over 2. Even though this set of reasons is short, unnecessary words are being used. For example, in the opening this person says “this class of market lambs”; instead he should just say “the market lambs.” At the end, he repeats his placing, which is unnecessary and, in this case, leaves room for another mistake, mixing up the placing.
Hampshire Breeding Ewes — 1
1-2-3-4 is my placing of the Hampshire breeding ewes. In the top pair, I placed 1 over 2. One is the most attractive from the side and is also the longest bodied. I grant that 2 is wider based and bolder ribbed, but she is also the courser made ewe who is low in her dock set.
In the middle pair, it is 2 over 3. She is the larger framed, heavier muscled ewe that is easily bolder sprung. Three is leveler made and more refined in her look, but she goes third. She is also the frailest and lightest muscled ewe.
In the bottom pair, 3 places over 4. She is taller fronted, cleaner patterned and appears to be later maturing. Four is heavier muscled and stands on more bone, but she is also the smallest framed, coarsest made, heaviest conditioned female, who appears to be the earliest maturing ewe of the class.
Hampshire Breeding Ewes — 2
1-2-3-4 is my placing of the Hampshire breeding ewes. In the top pair of larger framed, higher performing ewes, I opted for the balance and femininity found in 1 over 2. One is easily the most attractive from the side as she ties the longest, thinnest neck into the smoothest shoulder. She is also the longest patterned female who maintains the levelest topline on the move. To add to all this, she exhibits the most Hampshire breed character as she is the fullest in her wool cap. I admit that 2 is wider based and bolder ribbed, but she is also the courser made ewe who is low in her dock set.
In the middle pair, 2 easily beats 3. She is the larger framed, heavier muscled female that is easily bolder sprung. She also sets down wider at her base on more substance of bone. There is no doubt that 3 is leveler made and more refined in her look, but she goes third. She is also the frailest and lightest muscled ewe of the class.
In the bottom pair of ewes that contrast in type, I like the femininity of 3 over 4. She the taller fronted, cleaner patterned female who appears to be later maturing. On the other hand, 4 is heavier muscled and stands on more bone, but she is also the smallest framed, coarsest made and the heaviest conditioned female, who appears to be the earliest maturing ewe of the class.
www.nsip.org
www.judging101.com
www.clublambpage.com
This section, although brief, is designed to give very general placing criteria for market goats. Showing of market goats is beginning to be very popular all over the United States, especially in the Southwest. This trend is expected to spread to many other part of the country, and it is logical to assume that some contestants may be confronted with placing classes of goats in the future.
The same selection criterion comes to mind when placing goats as any other market animal: compositional correctness, structural correctness and balance. To evaluate muscle, look at the width of base and study the animal from behind. The widest part should be from stifle to stifle. When handling goats, the loin should be wide and deep, and they should have a thick rump and a large meaty leg. They should be wide from end to end, with width through the chest floor and good spring of rib indicating volume and capacity. Correctness of finish is different than for sheep. Goats need adequate finish and thus “leaner is not always better,” but excess fat should be avoided.
A structurally correct goat should stand square on all fours with adequate bone. The neck should ascend out of the top of the shoulders and not be open shouldered. Meat goats should have a long rump that slopes slightly from hooks to pins and be strong on their pasterns.
Balance would include being long bodied, having a long neck, and being relatively smooth shouldered. All the parts should blend together smoothly – the neck into the shoulders, and the shoulders into the fore-rib.
Gilts, like females from other species, should be structurally correct. They should be sound from both ends of their skeleton and have adequate bone. They should be built wide from the ground up and have spring of rib. They should also be large framed. Finally they should have refined yet prominent underlines.
Boars should be large framed, heavy muscled and lean. They also should be sound footed, and be correct in their testicular size with respect to their age.
Market hogs should be heavy muscled and lean. They should be large outlined as to reflect fast growth. Finally, they should be sound moving as well. The ideal market hog weight varies, but between 230 and 280 pounds is generally thought to be an acceptable window by today’s standards. An acceptable amount of backfat is generally no more than .7 inch.
| 1. | Snout | 9. | Rump | 17. | Teat |
| 2. | Face | 10. | Tail | 18. | Belly |
| 3. | Ear | 11. | Ham | 19. | Side |
| 4. | Neck | 12. | Cushion of ham | 20. | Elbow |
| 5. | Shoulder | 13. | Hock | 21. | Pastern |
| 6. | Ribs | 14. | Cannon | 22. | Knee |
| 7. | Back | 15. | Dewclaw | 23. | Jowl |
| 8. | Loin | 16. | Toe | 24. | Mouth |
The picture below is of a Duroc barrow. Although we are only able to see him from the side, motionless, we can still tell everything we need to know about him.
He appears to be relatively sound, as evidenced by the way his knee is set back, the apparent cushion to his pastern and the angle to his hock. He appears to carry some excess fat; he has a little extra under his jowl and middle and is putting on excess fat in his elbow pocket. He also appears to be short sided. The main problem with him is the lack of muscle, and as a result, the lack of shape. He appears to be extremely flat thru his ham and from the side, does not show much shape over his loin edge. This would be an example of a market hog that is unacceptable in terms of muscle dimension and would generally find his way into the bottom pair.
Below is an example of a Duroc Gilt. We will analyze her both as a breeding gilt and as a market hog. Notice that her shoulder appears to be straight, there is no cushion to her pastern, and there appears to be slight swelling in her hocks, indicating she is unsound. Notice how she is deeper in the front part of her rib as compared to her flank. This gilt lacks rib shape. She appears to be ultra lean, however, as evidenced by the complete absence of fat in her lower body, and the expression to her blade and loin edge. She is also good in terms of her length of body. As a breeding gilt, she would be highly criticized for being unsound and tight ribbed. These problems hold true as we analyze her as a market hog, but composition-ally, she would be more desirable than the barrow discussed previously.
Muscle:
Leanness:
Structure:
Underlines:
Carcass:
Trait |
Desired |
Definition |
Days to 250 |
Low |
The number of days taken to reach 250 pounds. Indicates those that are fast growing. |
Backfat |
Low |
Measured in inches at the 10th rib. |
LEA |
High |
Loin Eye Area adjusted to 250 pounds. |
Pounds of lean |
High |
Pounds of fat-free lean adjusted to a 250-pound live pig. Calculated from backfat and LEA EPDs. |
NBA |
High |
The number born alive in a litter. |
Litter weight |
High |
The weight of the litter at 21 days. |
TSI |
High |
Terminal Sire Index: An economic index used when selecting terminal sires. Includes backfat, days to 250, pounds of lean and feed efficiency. |
SPI |
High |
Slow Productivity Index: A measure of the productivity of a sow. Includes NBA, number weaned and litter weight. |
MLI |
High |
Maternal Line Index: An economic index used in the selection of replacement gilts. |
Sample Performance Data, Scenarios and Reasons
Performance Duroc Boars
Animal |
Days |
BF |
TSI |
1 |
1.01 |
.03 |
103.2 |
2 |
-2.5 |
-.01 |
117.9 |
3 |
-4.6 |
.00 |
125.0 |
4 |
-4.8 |
-.01 |
127.2 |
BA |
-.53 |
.01 |
109.5 |
Rank these boars as they will be used as terminal sires for the production of market hogs.
Based on the above data alone, the boars should be placed 4-3-2-1, with a close top pair. With the production of market hogs in mind, all three data columns (Days, BF, TSI) become important, and since TSI incorporates both Days and BF, the majority of emphasis concerning the data can be placed on that value.
Performance Duroc Boars Sample Reasons — 1
4-3-2-1 is my placing of the Performance Duroc Boars. In the top pair, I placed 4 over 3. He is the biggest outlined, cleanest constructed boar who has the most shape from blade to hip. I grant 3 has more testicular development, but I placed him second. He is somewhat wasty in his jowl and flat at the base of his ham.
However, in the middle pair it is 3 over 2. He is simply the heavier muscled, leaner boar who is higher indexing and thus holds more profit potential as a terminal sire. I admit 2 is more set back at his knee, but he is also narrow based and wasty through his lower third.
In the bottom pair, it is 2 over 1. He is the bigger outlined, later maturing sire who is higher indexing. I would expect his progeny to spend fewer days on the feeding floor and excel on a lean value based system. Sure, 1 is the soundest footed boar of the class, but he is also the least desirable in all measures of performance and is the smallest framed, lightest muscled boar of the drive.
Performance Duroc Boars
Animal |
Days |
BF |
Lbs |
TSI |
SPI |
1 |
1.01 |
.03 |
-.35 |
103.2 |
104.2 |
2 |
-2.5 |
-.01 |
.15 |
117.9 |
102.6 |
3 |
-4.6 |
.00 |
.70 |
125.0 |
104.6 |
4 |
-4.8 |
-.01 |
.75 |
127.2 |
104.6 |
BA |
-.53 |
.01 |
-.05 |
109.5 |
100.2 |
Rank these boars as they will be used as terminal sires for the production of market hogs. Elite barrows will be sold as club projects.
Here the placing remains the same as above. In this scenario, all columns are important with the exception of SPI, since SPI is a measure of the dam’s productivity. SPI can, however, indicate any potential litter mates. To be litter mates, they must have the same SPI and have the same litter notch in their right ear. Recognizing litter mates can be beneficial for both reasons and questions. With the addition of the club pig part of the scenario, no real placing criteria changes but, in reasons, you should point out if one boar is nicer from the profile with muscle and leanness, as to indicate a show ring look.
Performance Duroc Boars Sample Reasons — 2
4-3-2-1 is my preferred alignment of the Performance Duroc Boars. In the initial pair of littermates, who hold more profit potential as terminal sires, I liked the look from the side found in 4 over 3. He is the biggest outlined, cleanest constructed boar who has the most shape from blade to hip and, if he breeds true to his kind, I would expect his offspring to be more successful in the show ring. I realize 3 has more testicular development, but I placed him second. He is somewhat wasty in his jowl and flat at the base of his ham.
In the middle pair, it is 3 over 2, however. He simply ties more lean muscle content onto a bigger skeleton. This, combined with the fact that he higher indexing, suggests he holds more profit potential as a terminal sire. I admit 2 is more set back at his knee, but he is also narrow based and is wasty thru his lower one third.
Now, in the bottom pair, 2 beats 1. He is the bigger outlined, later maturing sire who is higher indexing, and I would expect his progeny to spend fewer days on the feeding floor and, in the end, excel on a lean value based system. Sure, 1 is the soundest footed boar of the class and was farrowed out of the most productive dam, but he is also the least desirable in all measures of performance and is the smallest framed, lightest muscled boar of the drive.
Example of a Poor Set of Performance Duroc Boar Reasons
4-3-2-1 is my placing of the Duroc Boars. I see this class as easily breaking up into a top and bottom pair with a close middle. In the top pair, I liked 4 over 3. The boar with the green paint mark on his side is easily the biggest and leanest boar that has the most shape to his top, works the rawer blade, is the cleanest underneath, and has the most shape and out-ward turn and flare to his ham. Yes, 3 has larger testicles, but he is kind of light muscled.
In the intermediate duo, it is 3 over 2. He is the longer bodied, longer sided boar who is heavier muscled. He is also higher in his TSI and MLI and pounds data and should have pigs that are more packer acceptable. I admit that 2 is thicker at the base of his ham, but he is also wasty in his lower third.
In the bottom pair, 2 beats 1. He is bigger, leaner and faster growing. On the other hand, 1 is more maternally oriented but goes last. He is the narrowest over his loin and out of his hip, and is the flattest at the base of his ham. He is also the narrowest based and thus the lightest muscled boar of the four.
This sample set of poor reasons differs from those previously given in the other species in that it gives too much detail in the wrong places. First of all, avoid opening a set of reasons and explaining how the class broke apart into pairs, mainly because you could be wrong. You might have the right placing, but if you think that it is a logical top and bottom pair and a close middle and the officials think the opposite, you have already dug yourself a large hole at the very beginning of your reasons. Yes, you should be confident that you are right, but there is no need to take unnecessary risks. Avoid using IDs that are not permanent (like a paint mark) because they may not have been there earlier in the day or may disappear as the contest progresses. When describing leanness in the top pair here, the contestant should have been more general. It is clear that the boar is leaner everywhere and extra time is not needed to display every leanness term you know. In the grant in the top pair, one should say testicular development and in the criticism avoid using the phrase “kind of.” There is no need to say “intermediate duo”; say “intermediate pair” or “middle pair.” In the middle pair, excessive terminology is used to describe length (long bodied and long sided are the same). The contestant also contradicts himself by saying that 3 is heavier muscled and then granting that 2 is thicker at the base of his ham. More descriptive and fluent ways of introducing data are given above than what is used in this set. In the bottom pair, if it is as close as the contestant says it is at the beginning, then how does 2 beat 1? Only use the word “beats” when it is very clear that one is better than the other. The transition “on the other hand” should only be used when two animals contrast in type. Again, excessive terms are used at the end to describe how 1 is light muscled. Simply say that 1 is the narrowest skeletoned and lightest muscled boar of the class. Try to avoid saying that you placed 1 last, because it sounds harsh. Only use “last” when it is very clear the animal is fourth and the animal is of very poor quality. Finally, ending the class with “of the four” is fine, but in this case it rhymes with boar, and rhyming should be avoided.
Market Hogs — 1
1-2-3-4 is my placing of the market hogs. In the top pair, I placed 1 over 2. She is bolder ribbed, more opened up in her top, and the most impressive from behind. I would expect her to open up the largest loin eye. Two is cleaner profiling, but she is also a frailer made gilt that is narrower at her base.
In the middle pair, 2 places over 3. She is the bigger outlined leaner designed gilt that is totally freer of fat throughout. Three is the soundest hog of the drive that stands on more bone, but he also reads the fattest over his 10th and through his middle.
In the bottom pair, 3 places over 4. He is the sounder structured barrow who works more product from blade to hip. Four is certainly leaner, but he is also the narrowest skeletoned, lightest muscled hog that is the straightest off of both ends and thus the poorest structured hog of the class.
Market Hogs — 2
1-2-3-4 is my placing of the market hogs. In the top pair of belted gilts, I liked the power found in 1 over 2. She is simply built wider from the ground up. She is bolder ribbed, more opened up in her top, and the most impressive from behind. Consequently, I would expect her to open up the largest loin eye. Two is cleaner profiling and reads leaner at her 10th, but she is also a frailer made gilt that is narrower at her base.
In the middle pair, 2 easily beats 3 because she should excel on a lean value based system. She is the bigger outlined, leaner designed gilt that is totally freer of fat throughout. She reads with more lean shape to her loin edge and more expression to her ham. Yes, 3 is the most mobile hog of the drive that stands on more bone, but he also reads the fattest over his 10th and through his middle.
Still, I preferred the more productively designed 3 over 4 in the bottom pair. He is the wider constructed barrow who works more product from blade to hip. He is also sounder structured as he is more laid back at his knee and moves with more flex and give to his hock and pastern. Four is certainly leaner, but he is also the narrowest skeletoned, lightest muscled hog that is the straightest off of both ends and thus the poorest structured of the drive.
Breeding Gilts — 1
1-2-3-4 is my placing of the breeding gilts. In the top pair, I liked 1 over 2. She is the boldest ribbed, most powerful female of the drive. I grant that 2 is the most refined in her underline, but she is also a frailer made gilt that is somewhat tight out of her hip.
In the middle pair, I like 2 over 3 because she more closely follows the type of my class winner. She is the bigger outlined, higher volumed gilt that spreads more muscle from her blade back. Three does stand on more substance of bone, but she is the smal-lest framed and heaviest conditioned gilt of the drive.
I still placed her over 4 in the bottom pair. She is the bolder ribbed, heavier boned gilt who is sounder. Four is bigger outlined and leaner, but she is the flattest made and the most structurally incorrect gilt of the class.
Breeding Gilts — 2
1-2-3-4 is my placing of the breeding gilts. In the top pair, I liked 1 over 2 primarily because of her width of skeleton. She is the boldest ribbed, most powerful female of the drive. To add to this, she is also the cleaner profiling female who is more uniform in her underline spacing. I admit 2 is the most refined in her underline, but she is also a frailer made gilt that is somewhat tight out of her hip.
In the middle pair, I like 2 over 3 because she more closely follows the type of my class winner. She is the bigger outlined, higher volumed gilt that spreads more muscle from her blade back. She is also cleaner constructed and possesses the higher quality underline. Three does stand on more substance of bone, but at the same time she is the smallest framed and heaviest conditioned gilt of the class.
However, I still liked her kind over 4 in the bottom pair. She is bolder ribbed, heavier boned and travels the ring with more mobility off of both ends. Four is certainly bigger outlined and leaner, but she is the flattest made and the most structurally incorrect gilt of the drive.
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Species |
Trait |
Range |
Average |
Beef |
Live Weight |
950-1,500 lbs |
1,150 lbs |
|
Dressing Percent |
55-67% |
62% |
|
Ribeye Area |
10-18 sq. in. |
12.6 sq. in. |
|
Fat Thickness |
.15-.8 in. |
.5 in. |
Sheep |
Live Weight |
90-150 lbs. |
125 lbs. |
|
Dressing Percent |
45-57% |
52% (shorn) |
|
Fat Thickness* |
.05-.5 in. |
.25 in. |
|
Loin Eye Area |
1.5-3.6 sq. in. |
2.6 sq. in. |
Swine |
Live Weight |
210-315 lbs |
260 lbs. |
|
Dressing Percent |
72-78% |
75% |
|
Loin Eye Area |
4.0-8.5 |
6.5 |
|
Fat Thickness |
.4-1.5 |
.77 |
| * This is an industry average. Most often, show lambs will be between .05 and .20 in. and this small range would be typical of a judging class. | |||
| Note: The swine parameters are industry averages current at the time this manual was written. Show pigs most certainly will deviate from this, as they could have larger LEA and possibly less fat. | |||
Yield Grade: A numerical representation of the amount of red meat yield in an animal measured in the carcass. A lower number is more desirable and the range is from 1 to 5. For sheep, this number is based solely on external fat thickness. In cattle, it based on ribeye area, hot carcass weight, KPH (percentage of kidney, heart and pelvic fat), and external fat thickness (largest factor).
Quality Grade: Determined by intramuscular fat and age or maturity. In sheep, the conformation of the animal plays a role as well. In sheep, the intramuscular fat is subjectively measured in the flank, and the majority of sheep are prime or choice (98%) with the other categories being good, utility and cull. In cattle, the intramuscular fat or “marbling” is measured in the ribeye. The possible quality grades of cattle are prime, choice, select, and standard. Most grids rewarding quality grade begin to pay premiums in the choice grade and higher.
Dressing Percent: The amount of carcass in relation to the live weight of the animal. It is affected by the fill, finish, muscling, sex and breed type. In sheep, the amount of fleece also plays a role.
USDA Grade (Swine): Based on fat thickness at the last rib and muscle score. The possible grades are 1, 2, 3, 4, and utility. Muscle scores are from 1 to 3 with 3 being thick and 1 being thin.
Percent Muscle (Swine): A measure of the red meat yield from the carcass. It is determined by the hot carcass weight, loin eye area and 10th rib fat depth. A higher number is more desirable.
Acknowledgments: The author would like to thank Mr. Clint Taylor for his expertise and time in editing this manual and to all of those who have taken the time to teach me throughout the years.
JM 13 /May, 2007
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